Chapter V

"Ashley! Wake up!" Shouts a voice. "Come on, check-in is in one hour! Help me put the body on and let's get to the race!"

Ashleigh rubs her eyes open. "What time is it?" She yawns.

"It's 9:45," Toad says entering the girl's vision. "The race is at 12 and check-in closes at 11. Come on, let's go!"

Finally, realization hits the girl. She bounces up from the pillow, and runs to help Toad get the bike ready. The bike's new paint job sparkles in the dusty light. Fenders painted deep Red, and a metallic black 'Z' on both sides of the pearlescent white body with a red '19' painted in a black circle on both sides.

"Holy shit, Toad this looks great," exclaims Ashleigh.

"Yeah, but it's not anything close to my original idea," he responds, pulling out a piece of sketch paper.

Ashleigh looks at the mess of an idea. Flashy colors, way too much pink and the words 'Team Princess is Awesome' written in big bold letters with some random girl's face on the side. "Uhm, I think what you did on the bike was better than… whatever THIS is," she says, waving the paper in disgust.

Toad groans.

"Come on, let's get this on the bike," starts Ashleigh, grabbing the body. The two attach the body to the pipe frame and hop on.

"And here's your helmet," Toad says, handing a helmet to the girl. It has a black lining and a crown painted around the top with a small black circle with the number 19 on the back of the helmet.

She hesitates but puts the helmet on. "Thanks, Toad, you're actually being a big help."

"Of course I'm helpful, it's in the job description after all," Toad explains, proudly.

The girl laughs, starting the bike with a roar that shakes the garage, and the two race away. As they exit the junkyard the old man watches from the window.

"Good luck kid," he whispers. "Save this city… for all of us."

The pair launch through the intersection as cars honk at them.

"Where's Toad's Harbor?" Yells Ashleigh.

"It's south," responds Toad, bouncing on the seat of the bike.

Ash revs the bike and speeds through traffic. She drifts hard right, straight into an empty alley. After she maneuvers through the alley, she drifts out and shoots back into traffic. She cuts a right turn at a large intersection and jumps onto the long down hill road. The harbor is in sight.

"What time is it, Toad?" Asks Ashleigh

"10:40," the poor mushroom man shouts.

She sends it down the hill. Jumping off of intersections and avoiding traffic. The harbor already has roads blocked off for the race. She rides around the barriers, down a hill, through a walkway, and onto the beach. She drifts in the sand as her tyres struggle to gain traction. Regardless, she still shoots forward in a burst of speed. Chequered flags wave above a banner that reads 'MarioKart League' in big bold letters.

"That's the starting line!" Yells Toad.

She banks toward a wall, rides up a surfboard propped on a buggy, and launches onto the track. She lands just before the finish line, and screeches to a halt, gaining the attention of the teams in the pit and scares fans around the area.

"There!" Yells Toad pointing to a table that read 'Check-in'.

"Come one," she exclaims, jumping off the bike and walking it to the table.

A Turtle man sits at the table. "Can I help you?" He mumbles.

"Uhm-" Ashleigh stutters, "Checking in?"

"Uh-huh," the turtle man starts. "Name?"

"Ashleigh Toppin?" She replies.

"You're not on the list."

"Excuse me?"

"You're not on the list," the turtle man continues. "So leave."

Just then, an older woman appears from the left. "Oh my God, Kyle, what did I say about turning people away!"

"Oh finally," he replies standing from his chair. "I can leave now."

The Lady Scoffs. "I'm so sorry about him, but I don't see any Toppin on the list, but we will accept any accredited recommendations, pre-paid tag numbers, or the 50 coin entry fee."

"Oh we have a card," Toad interjects, handing her the tag.

"Perfect!" The old lady exclaims taking the card. "Ash-lee… Toppin." She scribbles on the paper in front of her, and after marking the tag with a purple highlighter, hands the tag back. "You're all set! Pit number 12 will also be your starting position, and the referees have just started kart checks. 150CC standard engine, items are prohibited, and make sure you have fun!"

"Thank you," responds Ashleigh, and they head to the pits. The pit boxes are empty street car garages. As they approach, Toads with fluorescent vests fill the box with bike tyres, and jugs of gasoline. One of them nods at the two as they exit.

"Are you sure you'll be able to handle a pit stop?" Ash questions.

"Excuse me but… don't you know who you're talking to?" He replies. "No challenge is too big for Captain Toad!"

"Whatever you say Captain," she chuckles.

Just then, two men approach, both wearing shirts and hats that read 'MKL Official'.

"Number 12," says one of the officials with a heavy southern accent. "Last minute entry, what's your name miss?" He holds out his hand.

"Ashleigh," the girl replies.

"Ashlee Toppin," starts the other with a more timid voice. "Number 19…" he frantically flips through the only page on his clipboard. "Y-you don't have a racing team!"

"Yeah, we're independent," Toad jumps in.

"Oh… well- good luck then!" And he turns toward the bike.

"Don't mind him," starts the other official. "He's like that with everybody, even me."

"Oh, that's okay," the girl chuckles nervously.

The official returns from the bike. "Everything looks good. It's a 3 lap race so pit stops are emergency only. All karts must be on their assigned starting block 5 minutes before the green light at 12."

"Got it."

"Good luck," the southern official exclaims and the two walk off.

They weren't able to practice on the track. They close the course at 11 and by the time they got checked-in and settled in the pits it was already 11:15. Now they could only wait patiently until the first call to the track. As the start of the race draws near, Toad approaches the girl with papers in his hand.

"So I did some research. Only the first place finisher advances to the MKL Grand Prix. So you have to come in first in order to move on."

"That's not a problem, I've been racing bikes since I was in diapers," the girl responds confidently.

"Just be on the lookout for illegal items," reminds Toad. "The teams starting in first, second, and third are high-profile teams that are backed by major corporations or multiple businesses. They have more funds to spend on black market items."

"What do you know about the top three teams?" She asks.

"Well, in P3 we have Yoshi Yarn LLC." He points to the driver and their team as she shows him the equivalent on the sheets of paper. "The racer's name is Kevin, a Black Yoshi, he's an okay racer. In P2 is piranha pipe services with Petey Piranha as their racer. She drives the Teddy buggy, and even though she's P2, they have her as the favorite to win. Finally in P1 is one of the many Bowser Oli racers: Morton. He drives a Mr. Scooty, but the thing about him is that he notoriously plays dirty. Out of all the Bowser Oil racers, he's been disqualified the most."

"So I gotta watch out for him."

"I think you should stay clear of him!" Exclaims Toad. "You don't wanna get yourself hurt in the first race!"

"Well if he's in first, I'll have to pass him won't I?" She responds.

Toad couldn't say anything but gives grunts of concern.

Suddenly, a woman shouts over an intercom. "All racers! First call to the starting line! I repeat, first call to the starting line."

"Is everything ready to go, Captain?" Ashleigh exclaims.

"Ready as it'll ever be," the nervous mushroom man replies.

"Let's do it," Ashleigh holds her hand out for a fist bump.

*POW*

They roll the bike out to the 12th starting block. The two can hear the other racers scoff at them as their rag tag pair look foolish next to the professionalism of the other teams. Multiple individuals surround each kart, fine tuning and running final checks. Other racers prepare themselves mentally for the enduring challenge ahead. As Ashleigh straddles the bike, Toad hands her the helmet, gives her a thumbs up, and runs off. As she sits on her bike, taking in the view of the other racers, the intimidation and pressure finally hit the girl. She needs to win. She needs the money to save her uncle and her only home, even if it means risking her life. After some time spent face down on her console, Toad shouts in her earpiece.

"Wake up Ashley! The race is starting!"

She shoots up frantically shoving her keys into the ignition. She notices a tiny yellow turtle with glasses floating on a nimbus. Her engine roars to a start, drawing more unwarranted attention. The flying turtle pulls out a fishing rod that holds a starting light. The light flashes read along with a loud horn. The countdown begins.

2… The red light flashes with the loud horn…

1… Once more.

The light flashes green and all engines roar, with their tyres screeching behind them. The race begins.